# Enhanced controlled drug delivery of berberine-loaded gelatin nanoparticles: characterization and in vitro assessment

## TL;DR

Gelatin nanoparticles improve berberine's solubility and bioavailability, enabling controlled release and better antimicrobial and antioxidant effects.

## Contribution

A new method for encapsulating berberine in gelatin nanoparticles with controlled release and improved therapeutic properties.

## Key findings

- BBR-loaded gelatin nanoparticles achieved a mean particle size of 215.4 nm and 72.5% encapsulation efficiency.
- In vitro studies showed a sustained release profile over three weeks and improved antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.
- MTT assays confirmed high cell viability, indicating the formulation's biocompatibility and safety.

## Abstract

Berberine (BBR), a natural isoquinoline alkaloid, has long been recognized for its potent antimicrobial properties. However, BBR's therapeutic potential remains limited due to its poor bioavailability, low solubility, and short biological half-life. Nanoencapsulation of BBR within a suitable carrier system represents a promising strategy to overcome these limitations and enhance its pharmacological performance. In this study, BBR-loaded gelatin nanoparticles (BBR-GNPs) were successfully synthesized using a double desolvation technique to achieve controlled release and improved antimicrobial efficacy. FTIR and XRD spectroscopy affirmed the loading of BBR in GNPs. The prepared BBR-GNPs exhibited a mean particle size of 215.4 ± 54.32 nm and a zeta potential of +22.6 ± 4.48 mV, as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS), with an encapsulation efficiency of 72.5%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses revealed uniformly spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 169.4 ± 25.89 nm. In vitro release studies demonstrated a biphasic and sustained release profile extending over three weeks. The biological evaluation of BBR-GNPs indicated notable antimicrobial, antioxidant, and biocompatibility characteristics. Moreover, MTT assay results showed high cell viability of human skin fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner, confirming the safety of the developed formulation. Overall, this work presents BBR-GNPs as a promising nanoplatform for controlled drug delivery, offering enhanced solubility, prolonged release, and improved bioavailability of BBR, thereby extending its potential therapeutic applications.

Gelatin nanoparticles improve berberine solubility and bioavailability, enabling controlled, sustained release with enhanced antimicrobial, antioxidant, and biocompatible performance, validated in vitro.